We're a nation
united proudly behind our president, in whose
leadership we have the utmost confidence, or so they tell me. But
then, why have David Rees' cartoons become a certifiable internet
phenomenon, seemingly more popular than MP3s and free porn
combined? I think it's because a lot of people these days have a
small screaming voice buried deep down inside, a voice which
simply
cannot fucking believe this fucking shit--but instead of keeping
that voice locked safely away while he puts more flag stickers on
the SUV, Rees invites it up to the microphone and cranks up the
sound system as loud as it'll go, and in doing so, provides us
all
with a kind of public scream therapy. Sure, we've been thrust
into
a world none of us would have chosen, a world of suicide bombings
and terrorist attacks and John Ashcroft and under God only knows
what else--but at least we got a good comic strip out of the
deal. Tom
Tomorrow

MelodyNDS

These verses are
from the third Ch'an patriarch - a worker and
wanderer in Ancient China, fleeing for his life from jealous
monks.

"The Great Way is not difficult
for those who have no preferences.
When love and hate are both absent
everything becomes clear and undisguised.
Make the smallest distinction, however
and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart.

If you wish to see the truth
then hold no opinions for or against anything.
To set up what you like against what you dislike
is the disease of the mind........."

In order to
recieve (sic) ordination one has to study with a
recognised
teacher usually for at least several years and it generally
implies
at least an initial Kensho. The duties of a Zen priest are to
always continue training, to not be afraid to speak the truth, to
manifest their realisation in daily life and to offer that life
for
the sake of all beings. The only other requirement for
ordination,
which is implicit in the other requirements, is that one has
realised enough to have something to offer others and that
becomes
one's life vow, rather than career or image, or collecting Rolls
Royces. Genryu